Drought forces Serbia to cut back power generation

The two biggest plants, Djerdap I and Djerdap II, have been reduced to an output just 20 and 30 percent of their respective capacities, Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic told RTS television.

The facilities provide around 18 percent of Serbia's electricity generation.

Hydroelectric power accounts for nearly a third of Serbia's energy mix, with thermal plants making up the rest.

But with the Danube hitting historic lows in some areas because of waves of extreme hot weather sweeping Europe since May, their operations have suffered.

Serbian meteorologists say there has been no significant rainfall to feed the river for the past five or six weeks.

Neighbouring Hungary is facing similar energy-production challenges.

Its prime minister on Sunday announced the shutdown of his country's sole nuclear power plant, which is also dependent on the Danube for cooling.